2011-2012 Football Previews – Pac 12 – Arizona St Sun Devils
Arizona State, despite a disappointing ending to the 2010 season, has the goods to make up for lackluster 6-6 record overall and 4-5 record in conference play.
2011-2012 PAC 12 | Arizona State Sun Devils Football Preview
Coach: Dennis Erickson
2010-11 Record: 6-6 (4-5)
Arizona State Gambling Odds from Bodog.com to win BCS: 75-1
ASU Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2011 Schedule –>
Although a loss is still as loss, the Devils have to take some solace in that four of their losses were by four points or less. Something the team can build on.
Now with 15 returning starters in the lineup, including the best linebacker in the country– Vontaze Burfict, ASU coach Dennis Erickson better get the job done this year, or he may need to file for unemployment in 2012. With USC being the only team to really pose a challenge in the newly aligned PAC-12 South, the Sun Devils appear to be poised for a monster year.
So let’s take a look at who ASU will go with on the field as they try to win the first edition of the newly formed Pac-12.
Offense:
Losing starting quarterback Stephen Threet to a concussion he suffered late last year has left a major hole in the Devils’ offense. However, junior Brock Osweiler, who had his share of ups and downs in his limited action in 2010, stepped in for the injured Threet and led Arizona State to back-to-back wins to end the season, rallying past UCLA by 21 points and then winning in double overtime against in-state rival Arizona in the season finale. Osweiler tossed for 797 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions, and was the team’s third leading rusher with 124 yards.
He will get a lot of help from a much-improved running attack led by 2010 leading rusher Cameron Marshall (787 yards, 9 touchdowns) and sophomore change of pace back Deantre Lewis (539 yards, 4 touchdowns). Combined with Osweiler’s penchant for running, this three-pronged attack should be one of the best in the PAC-12 this season.
Helping to further improve their running game, sophomore Evan Finkenberg will help anchor an offensive line that returns all five starters and has one of the top centers in the country in senior Garth Gerhart.
The biggest concern for ASU offensively, is at the wide receiver position. Losing leading wide out Kerry Taylor, who caught 54 passes for 699 yards and three TDs, has not been a void easily filled. Especially, since second leading receiver T.J. Simpson went down in March with a tear in his ACL, leaving the job wide open for seniors Mike Willie, Gerell Robinson, and Aaron Pflugrad.
Defense:
This is the side of the ball the Devils will count on most, and with sophomore Junior Onyeali and senior Jamaar Jarrett bookending the D-line, they should be able to put pressure on the opposing team’s quarterback. The duo combined for 11 sacks last year, but will also have the challenge of working with two new starters–senior Bo Moos and sophomore William Sutton—at the defensive tackle positions. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Backing up the line, is the core of the ASU defense, as Burfict, who led the team with 90 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss, once again teams up with fellow Centennial High classmate Brandon Magee as two of three starters returning from last year.
Lastly, in 2010 the Sun Devils allowed 245 yards per game through the air, and despite returns from junior starting corner Deveron Carr and senior free safety Eddie Elder, the secondary will big a big concern for the Sun Devils heading into 2011.
2011-2012 Arizona Football Prediction: 1st PAC-12 South
With 15 starters back for the 2011 season, Arizona State will likely come into year as the favorites to win the South. While the defense will shoulder most of the load, combined with Osweiler’s gained experience at the end of last season, the Sun Devils should posses enough grab their first conference title in four years.
2011 ASU Sun Devils Schedule
9/1/11 10:00 PM ET UCDAV
9/9/11 10:30 PM ET MISOU
9/17/11 7:00 PM ET @ILL
9/24/11 10:15 PM ET USC
10/1/11 12:00 PM ET OREST
10/8/11 12:00 PM ET @UTAH
10/15/11 12:00 PM ET @ORE
10/29/11 12:00 PM ET COL
11/5/11 12:00 PM ET @UCLA
11/12/11 12:00 PM ET @WSHST
11/19/11 12:00 PM ET ARZ
11/25/11 10:15 PM ET CAL
